Where to stay in Krabi as a first time visitor

Located around 800 kilometres south-west from Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, the Krabi province is one of the biggest provinces in Thailand. Often referred to as an island destination, Krabi is actually on the mainland Thailand with around 130 offshore islands that fall under its jurisdiction. To give you an idea about the surrounding areas – to the North lies the province of Phang Nga (close to Phuket), Surat Thani bounds to the east, while Trang lies to the south and the Andaman Sea covers the west of Krabi.

Most of these 130 islands are un-inhabited but a handful of them are inhabited and accounts for most of the tourism activities from Krabi and Phuket. It can be quite intimidating to choose the right area amongst so many places to stay as a first-time visitor to Krabi. Choosing where to stay in Krabi is actually easy if a little research is done before embarking on your trip.

There are about eight major areas in Krabi where most of the tourists are concentrated. Most of them are along the coast of the mainland; however, there are a few offshore islands which cater to visitors and travellers, working out where to stay Krabi can be a little confusing.

The different areas and beaches are unique in their own right and have something for everyone. So, whether you are looking for adventure or nightlife and parties or just peace and tranquillity, Krabi has you covered. We will help you find the best place to stay in Krabi.

We will cover off all types of Krabi accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Krabi hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Krabi, the best Krabi hotels, best places in Krabi to visit, the best places to stay in Krabi, hotels near Krabi attractions, Krabi neighborhood guide and many more.

Beach Parties & Nightlife

Ao Nang – Where to stay in Krabi for family

With a wide variety of attractions and activities, Ao Nang is no doubt the most popular destination in Krabi. The famous walking street of Ao Nang features ample international dining options apart from shopping, bars, cafes, nightclubs, street vendors and entertainment. The Lady Boy Cabaret show in Ao Nang is quite famous for its over-the-top entertainment. Accommodation options here are aplenty and quite reasonable to cater to everyone’s need and budget.

The public transportation system is well managed in Ao Nang which makes it an ideal spot for tourists to start their island journeys or towards the mainland. The beach parties over the years have polluted the beach and surrounding water bodies but even then the parties just don’t stop here. Conservation and clean up efforts are in place to get the beach back to its original look and feel. It is an ideal vacation spot for families with kids friendly accommodations available.

Adventure & Party Islands

Phi Phi Islands – Where to stay in Krabi for nightlife

Comprising of seven islands, Phi Phi is comfortable tucked between two popular tourist destinations – Krabi and Phuket. From mainland Krabi or Phuket, it takes around a couple of hours to reach Phi Phi by boat or just under an hour by speedboat. With clear blue waters, powdery white beaches and jagged limestone cliffs, the islands have something for everyone. Adventure sports such as rock climbing, cliff jumping, scuba diving, free diving, etc are widely practised here while more subtle activities such as lazing on the beach and swimming along with fishing is also quite popular with tourists. Out of the seven islands that make up Phi Phi only one of them Koh Phi Phi Don is inhabited.

Most tourists and locals are concentrated on this beautiful island where almost everything from accommodation to nightlife to shopping is available. With the huge amount of tourists visiting the island for day-trips from Krabi as well as Phuket, it can get quite busy and crowded. The evenings and nightlife here is amazing as the crowd comprises of guests who are living on the island. Phi Phi Island is recommended for younger crowd that enjoys partying, adventure sports and everything in between. It should also be noted that luxury seekers can visit Phi Phi as there are a few secluded resorts that epitomises luxury in all sense.

Railay Beach- Where to stay in Krabi backpackers

Since it is only accessible by boat, Railay is a holiday destination that has been postmarked by tourists and travellers as an out-worldly experience. Being cut-off from the mainland by high and rickety limestone rocks and cliffs, it is nearly impossible to construct any sort of road connection. Railay has a central area with four spectacular beaches around for visitors to indulge.

It often generates the hippie era feeling among backpackers as they move from place to place on foot without any motorised vehicles in sight. Apart from the up-market resorts in the area, most of Railay still has the rustic and hippie vibe to it. Although there are several restaurants, bars, cafes, etc, people throng here to enjoy the un-inhibited party atmosphere after sun down. During the day the popular activities include rock climbing, kayaking, diving, etc; there are some wonderful adventure sport schools to ensure safety and security.

Peace & Tranquility

Where to stay in Krabi town

An ideal stopover for travellers embarking on their journey on the province of Krabi, Krabi Town is probably the best choice. It is the capital of the province but in size it’s quite a small and laid back town. With a handful of Krabi town hostels, hotels and budget accommodations in the town centre area. Krabi Town has an authentic Thai feel, although being small in size, the town has a life of its own with fresh produce markets, shopping areas, restaurants, etc. With lush green surroundings and less crowds, the town is quite peaceful and serene. The weekend walking street market of Krabi Town are quite famous among travellers as well as locals. It’s an off-beat place for budget travellers where transportation to all major Krabi attractions is available and reasonably priced.

Klong Muang – Where to stay in Krabi for honeymoon

The ultimate luxury destination in Krabi is Klong Muang beach which remains popular round the year. With expansive white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and no jagged cliffs and hills, it is no wonder that most popular accommodations here are up-market resorts and boutique hotels. Some of the best sunsets can be seen here as the area faces the West.

With innumerable infinity pools (most resorts have more than one) overlooking the horizon, these places are best equipped for that picture-perfect, breathtaking photographs. The area has a few restaurants and boutique shops to encourage tourists; it is not even close to being as developed as Ao Nang. Klong Muang is a honeymooner’s paradise as the area exudes luxury with relaxation and privacy. This place is also highly recommended for travellers seeking ultimate luxury with hospitality.

Ton Sai – Where to stay in Krabi on a budget

With an ever increasing popularity and cost of the original backpacker’s area of Ao Nang and Railay, the bulk of backpackers are moving on to Ton Sai. Being located between Ao Nang and Railay, Ton Sai is not easily accessible which makes it an even lucrative area for backpackers. Apart from relaxing on the beaches or getting high in the beach bars, the main activity revolves around rock climbing in Ton Sai beach. Past few years have seen a few dive schools open up in the area to promote the diving scene as well as other water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, etc.

An avid boatman can even row upto Railay with favourable tides and wind. There are a lot of eating joints in Ton Sai where everything from Thai cuisine to western cuisine is available along with cafes and bars which are aplenty. Backpackers with culinary skills visiting the area have opened up some nice pizzerias that encourage people to eat with mingling with others. For provisions there are a couple of mini-marts in the area; however internet is available without disruptions depending on weather. Ton Sai is a true backpacker’s haven in every sense of the word.

Other notable islands of Krabi:

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Hi, my name is Samantha, Finance Managing Guru by day, Travel Blogging Enthusiast by... well... day too! Haha! Travelling King is the destination hotspot for the wannabe traveller! Showcasing affordable, luxurious getaways for the budget conscious!
With the combination of my financial knowledge and travelling experiences I aim to show you, with a little planning, the right budget and a realistic goal you can fulfil your travel fantasies and explore the world whatever your budget or desires may be!

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Welcome to Travelling King!

Hi, my name is Samantha, Finance Managing Guru by day, Travel Blogging Enthusiast by… well… day too! Haha! Travelling King is the destination hotspot for the wannabe traveller! Showcasing affordable, luxurious getaways for the budget conscious!

With the combination of my financial knowledge and travelling experiences I aim to show you, with a little planning, the right budget and a realistic goal you can fulfill your travel fantasies and explore the world whatever your budget or desires may be!

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